Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 21- What Does Love Look Like?

We were in the living room as Cassy watched cartoons on a big flat-screen TV, while my attention wasn't on the singing protagonists of the movie but on the gray ceiling. My head and back lie comfortably on the backrest of the sofa.

“Let’s watch another movie po, Uncle Wren!” hyper na sigaw ni Cassy at naramdaman ko ang pag-alog ng sofa dahil sa katatalon niya.

[“Amidst the surge of opinions and concerns of the netizens online, the father of the Ishioka Empire and his wife express their deep love and care for their only daughter. They stated in their interview, quote-unquote, family is not defined by blood. Charm will always be the princess of the Ishioka Empir—”]

“I guess there are no other shows for today,” ani ni Wren matapos agad na mailipat ang channel kaya hindi ko na narinig pa ang karagdagang sasabihin ng reporter. Nanatili ang katahimikan bago biglaang kumanta ulit ang pinapanood ni Cassy na agad niyang sinabayan.

I kept staring at the ceiling, not bothering to blink an eye. I don't even dare to move a finger. I lie here as though I'm lifeless when in reality, I was savoring the softness of the sofa. My back ached badly after experiencing prison, having only one bench made of cold steel, without proper ventilation, and clean clothes. I took all these things for granted. Now, I know to treasure these little things I often missed. I'm just so glad I'm not in there anymore. I'm thankful that Wren does as he promises.

Narinig ko ang dalawa na mahinang nagtatawanan. Naagaw nila ang atensyon ko kaya inangat ko ang ulo ko para tanawin sila. Nakaupo rin si Wren sa kabilang dulo ng sofa at kandong si Cassy na may binubulong sa kanya. Makaraa’y bubungisngis na gagayahin din ni Wren. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume they were father and daughter because it appears that way from where I am. Wren would then use his finger to gently comb Cassy's hair and appear startled every time Cassy told him anything she had noticed in the movie.

Wren suits to be a father. He'll be a good father someday, and whoever will be his wife will be lucky enough to have found someone like him.

Saglit akong napangiti bago muling ipinatong ang ulo ko sa backrest ng sofa pero ilang segundo palang ang nakalilipas ay inistorbo na ako ni Cassy.

“Ate Charm!” tawag niya. Malalim muna akong napabuntong hininga bago siya nilingon. I stared at her with my half-close bored eyes look.

“Say, ahh!” Inilapit niya sa bibig ko ang isang cookie  na may chocolate icing sa ibabaw. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko nang makita ang kalat na chocolate sa paligid ng bibig niya. Peke akong ngumiti sa kanya at umiling.

“No, thanks,” sabi ko pero ginamit niya ulit ang pagpapa-cute niya. Ngumuso siya at tumingin kay Wren pagkaraan ay sa akin. Kunot-noong napanganga ako na naging daan para masubo niya sa akin ang cookie. Muntik pa akong mahirinan at labag sa loob na nginuya ko iyon.

“Ay! Ate Charm… may dumi ka rito po oh,” sabi ni Cassy at dinukwang niya ang pisngi ko upang punasan gamit ang maliliit niyang kamay. Pagkaraa'y tinitigan niya ko.

Ilang segundo rin niyang hinagod ng tingin ang mukha ko. Bago unti-unting umusbong ang pilyang ngiti sa labi niya.

“Ayan… ang ganda mo na po! Hihi!” sabi niya sa matinis at excited na boses bago tumalon pababa ng sofa at tumakbo palayo.

What happened to that child?

Nagtataka kong nailipat ang tingin kay Wren na kasalukuyang nanlalaki ang mga mata at nakatulala sa akin. He almost jump on his seat when I snapped my fingers at his face.

“Cassy! Wait!” sigaw niya kay Cassy na para bang balak niya itong pagsabihan. Naiwan ako sa sala na mag-isa at kunot ang noo. Ikinakibit-balikat ko nalang sana iyon nang maalala ang sinabi ni Cassy.